The healthPi Medical Center in Vienna is a pioneer in healthcare, offering a unique combination of specialists in orthopedics, orthopedic surgery, traumatology, rheumatology, internal medicine, metabolism, preventive medicine and rehabilitation. Here, personal needs, problems and goals relating to pain, metabolism, stress and sport are considered holistically to ensure high-quality medical care that balances prompt recovery with the long-term maintenance of physical performance.
At the heart of the center are outstanding doctors such as University Lecturer Dr Wolfgang Gruther MSc TCM and PD Dr Philipp R. Heuberer. Dr Gruther is a specialist in physical medicine and general rehabilitation and is regarded as an expert in spinal injuries and conditions, as well as rehabilitation. His expertise in conservative orthopedics and pain management makes him an ideal point of contact for patients with back problems and other orthopedic conditions. Dr Heuberer, a specialist in orthopedics and orthopedic surgery, is renowned for his extensive knowledge of regenerative medicine, particularly in the field of shoulder surgery.
The healthPi Medical Center offers personalized healthcare solutions centered on the ‘four S’s’: pain, metabolism, stress and sport. From pain management and metabolic regulation to stress management and enhancing athletic performance, the center covers a wide range of health topics. The highly qualified team utilizes state-of-the-art equipment, specifically selected to deliver targeted care on-site.
Through a sophisticated combination of laboratory tests, imaging and functional diagnostics, a personalized examination package is created, enabling a precise diagnosis and individual treatment plans based on this. With a comprehensive approach and a first-class team of specialists and other experts, the healthPi Medical Center ensures first-class medical care and enables patients to lead active and healthy lives. Purification, cleansing, detoxification: these buzzwords are familiar from the detox trend.
Inuspherese therapy is another approach to ridding the body of toxins. To find out more about this treatment method, the editorial team at Leading Medicine Guide spoke with doctors Dr Wolfgang Gruther and PD Dr Philipp R. Heuberer.
Inusphere therapy is a form of treatment that has gained increasing prominence in recent years. It is based on the concept of extracorporeal blood purification, in which blood is passed through a dialysis machine outside the body to remove harmful substances and relieve the body.
Inuspherese is used to treat hypercholesterolaemia, or high cholesterol levels.
“Inuspherese is the brand name and was developed in Germany. What lies behind it is a form of blood cleansing, similar to the dialysis used in nephrology. The procedure has been around for some time, but has never been heavily promoted, nor is it supported by the pharmaceutical industry; however, it is now a recognized standard medical procedure. The filtration system used in Inuspherese is, however, different. Here, the red blood cells are separated from the plasma; the plasma is washed and returned to the patient. It is a completely safe procedure, and a hospital stay is not necessary. Inuspherese may be particularly indicated for patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia or other genetic disorders of lipid metabolism. The main aim of Inusphere is to lower blood cholesterol levels in order to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. High cholesterol levels are considered a risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis, heart attack and stroke. By lowering cholesterol levels, these risks can be reduced and the patient’s long-term health improved. The treatment is carried out over three days – on day 1, hemodialysis is performed; day 2 is a rest day; and on day 3, hemodialysis is performed again. “We proceed in this way because it always takes a while for toxins (e.g. environmental toxins, heavy metals) to ‘catch up’, so to speak, so that they can then be flushed out during the second blood purification,” explains Dr Heuberer, adding: “The concern here, of course, is always that the body’s own electrolytes, such as minerals, are also flushed out. To a certain extent, this cannot be prevented, of course. That is why we repeatedly administer mini-infusions to maintain electrolyte balance,” and Dr Gruther also explains:
“To understand this, you need to know how the filtration process works in inusphoresis. It’s not like using a kitchen sieve, for example, where something is caught and the rest drips through – which is the basic idea behind a filter. Here, it works a little differently: the filters are positioned to the right and left of a tube in the middle (the current) through which the blood flows. In the filters, the membrane has specific pore sizes through which components can diffuse to the other side or flow back again. Outside the stream in the middle, a charge of + and – builds up. As the body aims to create perfect proteins, the good ones automatically remain in the middle, in the stream, and the bad ones are flushed out, which is why the body is relieved.”
Inusphere is a form of lipid apheresis in which certain lipoproteins are removed from the blood, in particular LDL cholesterol or ‘bad’ cholesterol.
Before undergoing inusphere therapy, a patient undergoes a thorough diagnostic phase to assess the condition of their cardiovascular system and other relevant health parameters.
“The first step is to find out why the patient is motivated to undergo Inusphere therapy in the first place. What are their reasons, and what is the problem? Most of our patients have symptoms such as Long Covid or inflammatory reactions. However, it is important to know beforehand whether we are treating a metabolic disorder or an inflammatory condition. Is it an accumulation of toxins or heavy metals, or is it immune system exhaustion with low ATP levels? For this purpose, there is a questionnaire for the patient, and the subsequent diagnostic procedures are based on the answers provided. As a rule, the patient has already had blood tests and a lung function test, and the results are normal or at least largely normal. We then work with a specialist laboratory that analyzes inflammatory parameters not normally tested in routine laboratory work. These include, for example, inflammatory changes or autoantibodies against nerve cells, which can then confirm Long Covid, heavy metal exposure or an inflammatory condition. “And so we try to narrow things down and find out whether Inuspherese is really suitable,” explains Dr Gruther.
BATP: The energy supplier for our cells
Our body requires energy for numerous functions throughout the day. To do this, it uses a nucleotide called adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This molecule acts as the fuel for the cells and drives all their reactions.
Dr Heuberer adds at this point: “We have been seeing about two patients a week for roughly 1.5 years. They usually have conditions with complex causes, are stressed and feel left to their own devices, as their previous efforts to manage the symptoms have failed. The patients’ complaints range from chronic immune disorders to chronic fatigue syndrome. Vaccine reactions can also be treated with inusphere therapy. This is because the problem is usually not the vaccine itself, but the adjuvants added to it, which are mostly heavy metals (nanoparticles). We flush these out, although several treatments are then required. Many patients have already endured a long and difficult journey. Therefore, all necessary parameters are tested and evaluated in a laboratory in Germany, so that we know where the problems lie and a treatment plan can be drawn up. Sometimes several forms of therapy need to be combined, for example, inusphere therapy plus hyperbaric oxygen therapy or brain neurostimulation, because many toxins and poisons primarily accumulate in the brainstem.
As part of a physical examination, the doctor carries out a series of tests to assess the patient’s general state of health. These include measuring blood pressure, pulse, body weight and height, as well as examining the heart and lungs for signs of disease.
“If there is then an indication for Inusphere therapy, internal medicine clearance is required. We can carry this out here in-house, or the patient can provide it themselves (routine laboratory tests: blood count, ECG, kidney and liver function, together with medical clearance for this treatment). It is important to clarify everything in detail here, as Inusphere therapy is a rather costly treatment, costing €2,700.00 per session and is generally a private service. It depends on whether part of the cost can be covered by the health insurance fund after all. This is because Inusphere therapy was actually developed to lower fats, i.e. cholesterol. And if, as a patient, you meet the criteria for needing to lower these levels, then you can pass the costs on to supplementary or private insurance and have a strong case,” says Dr Gruther regarding the important diagnostic process before starting Inusphere therapy.
Dr Heuberer comments on this: “The cost of materials for Inuspherese is relatively high. This is also one reason why Inuspherese is not offered in hospitals, as it would pose a billing problem or result in a loss. This is therefore a purely financial decision and not a medical one.”
Inusphere therapy is a minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, particularly in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) or other arterial narrowings.
“The patient is given a small task to complete at home before the treatment. Unlike any other medical blood test, they must be well-nourished and have consumed plenty of fluids prior to the procedure, as a high blood sugar level is required for the treatment because the procedure is energy-intensive for the body. During treatment, the patient expends energy like an athlete, so we need to ensure the body is well fueled and therefore has a good blood sugar level. Before starting, a further check-up is carried out in the form of an ECG, the venous access points in the right and left arms are checked (the treatment can alternatively also be performed via a femoral catheter), and the blood pressure and blood sugar levels are checked, and the patient is briefed once more, at which point they also give their informed consent again. The access points are then established and flushed with fluid, and the treatment can begin. Blood is drawn in from one side using a pump, and the plasma and red blood cells (erythrocytes) are separated. The latter are returned to the patient immediately via the other side, so that the patient suffers no blood loss. The separated plasma is passed through the filtration process and, once purified, is also returned to the patient on the other side. Consequently, there is a continuous inflow and outflow during the treatment. The patient notices almost nothing during the procedure; that is, neither dizziness nor nausea occurs. (There is an information sheet for the patient explaining that mild dizziness or a slight drop in blood pressure may occur. There may also be some post-procedure bleeding at the puncture site or allergic reactions to the tubes or the heparin used). The entire procedure takes approximately 2–3 hours and consists of 2–3 flushes. The catheters are removed, the patient can then go home immediately, and the collected eluate (the filtered fluid) is examined for color and consistency and sent to the laboratory for testing,” explains Dr Gruther regarding the treatment procedure, adding one further point:
“To ensure the machine works properly, the patient is also given a dose of heparin (a blood thinner), in a quantity as small as that which would be administered prophylactically against thrombosis on a long-haul flight. After one treatment, we manage to wash out approximately 50% of the plasma. It is therefore advisable to repeat the treatment after two days so that approximately 93–95% of the plasma is washed out. The rule here is: once is better than never! It also always depends on the patient’s underlying condition. If someone has suffered a single episode of intoxication, a single treatment is sufficient. For chronic conditions, several treatments are recommended. Some patients choose to repeat the treatment annually as a preventive measure (like a detox). A preventive approach makes sense when considering lead in water, amalgam in dental fillings, or mercury that may be present in fish. The patient is also informed about this following the analysis of the eluate, to explain what should be avoided in order to prevent toxic substances from entering the body in future.
- Environmental toxins can play a significant role in the development and progression of chronic diseases. These toxins are substances found in the environment that can be harmful to humans, whether through direct contact, inhalation, ingestion or via the skin. A wide range of environmental toxins, including heavy metals such as lead and mercury, industrial chemicals such as pesticides and solvents, air pollutants such as particulate matter and ozone, as well as certain pharmaceutical residues, can be linked to chronic diseases.
- Particulate matter, ozone and other air pollutants are associated with an increased incidence of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks, strokes and high blood pressure.
- Lead and mercury can cause neurological problems and increase the risk of developmental disorders in children. They have also been linked to kidney problems, cancer and other chronic diseases.
- Exposure to pesticides and herbicides, which are widely used in agriculture, can be linked to a variety of health problems, including cancer, neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, and reproductive problems.
- Chemicals such as bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates can disrupt the endocrine system and interfere with hormone production and regulation. This can lead to problems such as hormonal imbalances, reproductive disorders and even cancer.
- Residues of medicines in the environment, particularly antibiotics and hormones, can promote antibiotic resistance and place a strain on the ecosystem. In the long term, they can also affect human health by facilitating the development of pathogens and the formation of resistant strains.
The long-term benefits of inusphere therapy compared to other blood purification methods can be manifold.
“One must distinguish between the filtration process and the absorption process. Inusphere therapy works using the filtration process described earlier, which functions like a net that filters things out, with filters of varying fineness. The finer the net, the more beneficial it is to supply the patient with nutrients, as more simply gets caught in the finer net. That is why dialysis in kidney patients is classified as a very coarse procedure. The absorption method, on the other hand, works on a lock-and-key principle – the aim here is to remove a specific substance. To do this, antibodies are identified that bind only to this one selected substance. This is an elegant method for very specific indications. The catch is that if I want to remove several substances, I have to connect several filters in series. This system is prone to errors, more complex, and the patient must be given more heparin. If one looks specifically at the dialysis process, it must be noted that this already works well and is also affordable. And even kidney patients can undergo inusphere therapy as a complementary treatment, as it fundamentally improves kidney function. Dialysis cannot do this – it cannot filter out the immune complexes that are putting a strain on the kidneys. Dialysis merely removes the accumulated toxins that the body can no longer eliminate itself. The underlying disease is not treated. Inusphere therapy can influence the inflammatory process,” Dr Gruther explains.
“The crucial question here is: we all live in the same environment. Why does one person fall ill and another does not? It is suspected that there is a problem with detoxification. But if the body cannot manage detoxification on its own, then I simply have to help it, which is most effectively achieved with inusphere therapy,” states Dr Heuberer.
Inuspherese has come more into the public consciousness due to COVID-19
Holistic treatment at the healthPi Center in Vienna
“Here at the healthPi Center in Vienna, we have been offering Inusphere therapy for 1.5 years. Due to Covid and Long Covid, this treatment has come increasingly into focus. In Germany, the procedure has been established for 10–15 years and was previously known as plasmapheresis. At the healthPi Center, our primary focus is on identifying the patient’s specific problem. Inusphere therapy is one component of this. We offer further treatment options such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy and always strive to take a holistic view of the patient, using diagnostics to determine the best possible outcome for them. Treatment with Inusphere is certainly not a ‘bargain’, but for many for whom all other therapies have failed, it is usually their last hope. That is actually a shame – because this prolonged ordeal need not be the case. Nevertheless, the reality is that we mainly see patients who have already tried everything else. This means that we largely never get to see the ‘mild’ cases,” says Dr Gruther, and with that we conclude our conversation.
Many thanks to Dr Heuberer and Dr Gruther for the fascinating insight into therapy with Inusphere!
